Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-06-17

their course, Harry unable without
certain destruction to turn his head,
ignorant of his companions late
narrow escape.
They had only accomplished half
their perilous walk when the night
gloom gathered round them. They
must traverse the rest of the way in
darkness
STEADILY" whispered Harry, en-
couragingly, for Gods sake don't
falter now y
She answered him firmly, 81 will
not" and she frightened her hold Of
his jacket.
At that moment they telt the rail
culver beneath them-a strange,
humming noise was heard. 1t grew
louder every moment-louder and
louder-uutil suddenly CLEAN like
that of a bloodshOt eye was seen
bursting through the darkness far
ahead.
"The locomotive y gasped Mary.
"My Cod What can we do now y
She was right, 1t was the train
bound to Paris, sweeping along at
full speed, breathing thunder
steam, and fire. Nearer and nearer
it came, roaring and rafting, with
its whistle screaming. The rail now
shook so that the travellers could
scarcely keep their balance.
What matter whether they did or
mott What power could save them
now They were apparently doom
ed 10 certain destruction with that
fearful train sweeping toward them
On, On-nedrer, nearer, nearer. II
was soon less than three miles dis
tant!
The young couple stood still
each could hear the beating OF the
others heart, for Mary's arms now
we're around Harry's waist.
Ahead of them an approaching
locomotive-on each side Of them
yawning abyss-their only support
a slender rail. All hope died from
their hearts.
ave must prepare p gasped the
girl. awe must die God help,usF
"Oh ~ murmured Harry, sudden
ly, "if I only had a rope miGhtpos.
sibly do something to save us y
GA rope-thank Heavenl There
is one in my carpet-bag. A. line
upon which my cousin used to hang
her hosiery"
AS quick as his situation would
permit, Harry unslung from bis
neck the carpet bag, and, opening
it, took out the rope, which war
quite long and about as thick as q
clothes.line. One end of this he
fastened around Mary's breast just
beneath the arm.pits; the Other
end, by carefully stopping upon his
knees, hecOntrived to reeve through
and fasten in one of the holes be
tween the timber and the rail.
The tram now was less than Q
mile diStant-in one minute 1t would
reach the spot occupied by the i'm
periled travellers. On it came
booming along, while the rail shook
as il going to pieces. Steam, thun
der, fire, and smoke
"God help US y screamed Mary
The next moment she felt sud
den jerk, and became aware that
she was dangling in mid.air be-
meath the rail.
Her heart almost leaped to hel
throat. A long, dark object swept
above her, crashing, rafting, thun
dering-it 1cds the train!
"All rightw said an encouraging
voice, as the cars disappeared in
the darkness. "Thsnk Godw
She looked up and saw Harry
clinging to the upper part of the
rope. He swung himself quickly
to the rail, and carefully drew hel
up. Then, with the help Of the
rope, the two we're enabled to walk
the rest OF the rail with more east
than before.
Soon they we're out OF all danger
when, with streaming eyes, Mary
fell on her knees and thanked God
tor her and her companions preser
walton. They reached the Dior
train in good time, and subsequent
ly arrived at Mary's place OF desti
nation in safety.
The girl found her father dying
but he lived long enough to give
her his parting blessing. Harry
now feeling that she needed a pro
tector more than ever, proposed
after remaining six weeks at DIXON
to make her his wife. "a
She consented-they were mar
ried-be brought his bride to thu
United States-and they are nov
living happily and contented in
pleasant home, near Harlem, New
York, within hearing of the steam
trains. Need l add that they new
er hear the thunder noise of the ap
preaching cars without thinking o
that night of peril on the rail.
-, ~ rt.L4 n ust..l a